Rumours spread like wildfire during the entire weekend. The most extravagant theories about why the Headmaster had ordered a section of the fourth floor to be isolated were discussed in the corridors.

In the night between Monday and Tuesday, Harry had several nightmares. He woke up feeling empty. He tried to attune his energies to Snape's through the castle, but he couldn't find him.

When they arrived for the Potions class, the seventh years were surprised by the presence of Professor Sprout in the classroom.

Harry felt his heart grip with concern.

"The greasy git didn't come today. I hope he's been boiled in his own cauldron," Ron whispered in his ear.

Harry had to control himself not to punch his best friend.

"Professor Snape was called to an important meeting, and I'm going to substitute for him today," announced Sprout.

A meeting. Had Voldemort called him? So early in the morning? What would that mean?

~* ~* ~

In the afternoon, classes were suspended, and another rumour started to spread through the halls and corridors of Hogwarts: Snape and Akhmatov had disappeared.

Harry felt sick. He had fought with Severus for a stupid reason, a mere war of pride, and now he feared he would never see him again.

The ring was still there, invisible to anyone but him. Did that mean that Severus was alive? Or was it possible that the ring could still exist even after the death of one of the owners? He would have to search for the answer in the book that Severus had given him. The problem was that only Severus could understand that book's cryptic language! And everything always went back to Severus.

Most Gryffindors were in their Common Room, causing an uproar. Hermione complained that it wasn't possible to talk there, so Harry, Ron and Hermione went to the library.

"Of course Akhmatov had to disappear," Ron grumbled, as they sat at a table. "That subject is jinxed, that's a fact! But why has Snape disappeared too?"

Harry rested his head on his crossed arms on the table.

"What is it, Harry?" asked Hermione. "Are you worried about... Snape?"

"Come on, Hermione, why would he worry about that... Harry?"

"Ron, don't be a moron! Snape is a member of the Order. You know how Harry feels responsible for everybody."

Ron shrugged, and stared at Harry with a concerned look.

Finally, Harry lifted his head. "I'm going to talk to Dumbledore."

~* ~* ~

This time, however, "Caramelitos" didn't make the gargoyle leap aside, and worse: Harry felt clearly that the Headmaster wasn't in the castle. He had to go after the Head of his House.

Harry went downstairs and through the dark corridors, his heart beating fast, and arrived at the Deputy-Headmistress' office.

"Professor McGonagall, I need to talk to the Headmaster," said Harry when the Deputy-Headmistress opened the door.

"Potter, what is it?"

"I need to talk to him, please."

"He's not in Hogwarts. Are you all right?"

Frustration gripped Harry. "Am I all right? Of course I'm not all right! Nobody tells me anything! Everybody's saying that Snape and Akhmatov disappeared and..."

"Stay calm, boy! Professor Snape, and Professor Akhmatov. And there's no need to shout."

Harry clenched his hands, furious. "I need to know if they... er... if they are well."

"I'm sorry, Potter, but I don't know exactly what is happening either. The Headmaster will inform us as soon as possible."

~* ~* ~

Harry didn't go back to the library. He walked out of the castle and towards the lake.

"Harry!"

Turning around, Harry saw Kai running in his direction. "Hello, Kai."

Kai caught up with him. Harry resumed walking, with the Navajo boy by his side.

"You're worried about Professor Snape, aren't you?"

"How is it that you always know everything, kid?" asked Harry, pretending to be angry. The truth was that Kai's presence was making him feel better.

"Me? Why? I just happen to know you well."

"And do you know where he is?"

"No, I don't, but don't worry, he's all right."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because I was worried about him too, then I sent my crow to my mother to ask her if he was all right."

At first, Harry didn't understand a word. Then he remembered that Kai used a crow to send his mail, and that Kai's mother was a seer. "And she replied that he was okay?"

Kai nodded. "She wrote me that the Black God is still protecting him, and asked me not to let you do anything stupid."

Harry sighed. "Everybody's ganging up against me."

"Harry, I think you should learn a prayer from one of our ceremonies, the Stalking Way. It's a prayer the hunter sings before going after deer. It's very useful when you have to face an enemy too. Let's take a seat on those steps, and I'll sing it to you."

Harry tried to protest, but the kid was invincible.

Note by note, word by word, Kai taught Harry the song.

~* ~* ~

On the next day, at breakfast, the Deputy-Headmistress announced that Hogwarts was under imminent attack, and all the students would go back to their homes until the danger had passed.

"What? I don't want to go back home. No way," grumbled Ron.

Poor Ron, Harry thought. It would be horrible to have to go back to The Burrow in those circumstances. And he, Harry, where would he go? To the Dursleys? And what was happening? Where was Severus?

McGonagall approached them, interrupting the desperate flow of Harry's thoughts. "Potter, you and both Weasleys will go to... you know where. Arthur Weasley will stay there with you."

Hermione looked at the Deputy Headmistress with pleading eyes. "Professor, can I stay with them, please? Like the other time?"

McGonagall frowned and looked at each one of them: Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione.

"All right, Miss Granger. If your parents give you permission."

"Thank you, Professor!"